Rams Predicted to Swing ‘Nightmare Scenario’ Trade for 2,800-Yard Playmaker

The Los Angeles Rams have been subjects of increased trade speculation in recent days as the 2026 draft approaches, and the latest iteration would see them make a significant move for arguably the top prospect in the 2026 draft, Jeremiyah Love.

Love is all but certain to be off the board by the time the Rams are on the clock with their current 13th overall pick, which they got during the 2025 draft in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

However, he could be one of the few players in this class worthy of such drastic measures.

Rams Trade Idea Lands Top-5 Pick to Draft Jeremiyah Love

GettyJeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine.

Rams general manager Les Snead has all but ruled out a trade for an established player. The Rams did that already this offseason, acquiring Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. But Snead also has a history of trades moving up and down, leaving a move for Love in play.

Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr suggested a hypothetical trade package involving the Tennessee Titans, who currently own the fourth-overall pick.

Orr called it a “nightmare scenario” for Rams NFC West rival, the Arizona Cardinals.

Rams get:

• 2026 first-round pick (No. 4 overall)

Titans get:

• 2026 first-round pick (No. 13 overall)
• 2026 second-round pick (No. 61 overall)
• 2026 third-round pick (No. 93 overall)
• 2027 first-round pick

Orr cited the Rams’ previous interest in acquiring Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers before the San Francisco 49ers landed him.

Love may not be McCaffrey, but he is in the same mold as a dynamic dual-threat.

“This is a nightmare scenario for the Cardinals, who would not trade their own top-five pick within the division but have now watched Les Snead swoop up to nab the top offensive playmaker in the draft,” Orr wrote on April 21.

“Love is a physical back who lives for outside zone (which is a small part of the [Sean] McVay offensive lexicon but showcases his patience and brilliance) and can help protect Matthew Stafford on the back end. While there isn’t necessarily a game-changing receiver that fits into the Rams’ universe, Love, in what could be Stafford’s final season, may conquer all.”

Love finished his collegiate career with 2,882 yards and 36 touchdowns on 433 carries, adding 594 yards and 6 TDs on 63 receptions for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Rams Could Pull Off ‘Nightmare’ Move

GettyJeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown against the USC Trojans.

The Rams’ backfield already boasts Kyren Williams, and has used draft picks in back-to-back years on Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter, the latter of whom hardly saw the field as a rookie this past season.

Still, Love is viewed as a special prospect, and the flashes from Las Vegas Raiders runner Ashton Jeanty only solidified the belief that certain RBs can still be drafted early.

“Love is an explosive athlete with a remarkable blend of balance and burst to be dynamic as both a runner and in the passing game,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his “The Beast” draft guide. “He is one of the most talented players in the 2026 draft class and projects as a high-upside NFL weapon.”

Notably, the Cardinals own the third overall pick.

Arizona could very well choose to bring Love into their group. The good news is that the Rams would know before needing to finalize a deal with the Titans. And Snead has expressed confidence in finding a good player, regardless of where the Rams pick.

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